Home Link recently held their annual short story writing competition. More than twenty 3rd-12th grade kids participated this year. In a competition that encourages six-trait story telling, but welcomes writers of all experience levels to tell a tale.
Twenty-two Home Link students took up the challenge to write a story to compete against their peers. With no fee or experience required to enter, students only had to be willing to tell a creative narrative. Writers were divided into three grade brackets: 3rd-5th, 6th-8th, and 9th-12th.
Stories were judged on the six-traits of writing. Ideas, Organization, Voice, Word Choice, Sentence Structure, and Conventions. Whether or not a student wants to pursue being a writer, mastery of these traits will aid them going forward in their schooling as well as in future careers. Taking a short story from beginning to end is a wonderful exercise in honing their ability to articulate thoughts and ideas, and learn to think outside the box.
Kids had about 1,000 words to tell their tale and bring the reader along in their adventure. The uniqueness of each story was compelling, and I’m sure all the judges can agree that Home Link has a collection of very creative and talented writers.
The winners of each age bracket took home various cash prizes and gifts donated by Home Link and local businesses. All of the students who entered should be proud of their stories, as just completing a work of fiction is an accomplishment.
Photo Provided By Shani Hunsaker
The winners are as follows:
3rd-5th Grade
1st place- Lily Boyer “The Final Expedition”
2nd place- Daphne Midkiff “Books and Bravery”
3rd place- Lilianna Emmans “The Lost Heart”
6th-8th Grade
1st place- Josephina Longly “Break a Leg”
2nd place- Samuel Emmans “The Battle for Hillinmore”
3rd place- Stefani Liddell “Across the Oceans”
9th-12th Grade
1st place- Charlene Hatley “Facing the Wave”
2nd place- Ethan Richardson “The Maiden of Death”
3rd place- Cadence Emmans “Where is Lizzy”
Orangizer Shani Hunsaker would like to express her sincere thanks to this year’s judges. She stated that their time is highly valued. This year’s judges were Monica Easley-Cate, Crystelle Knox, Ellie Chambers, Kayla Hiatt, Lydia Brown, and Barb Kelly.
Hunsaker also directed appreciation to the business sponsors for contributing to the gifts and prizes. Sponsors this year are: Deer Park Home Link, Joyco Drilling, Calista Wallick-Kelly Right Real Estate.
